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[Cholera update at the dawn of the millenium]
J P Boutin1, F Pages, R Migliani
1Service de Médecine des Collectivités, Institut de Médecine Tropicale du Service de Santé des Armées, BP 46, Le Pharo, 13998 Marseille-Armées, France. medco.imtssa@wanadoo.fr
Summary
Cholera, an ancient disease, has seen seven pandemics linked to technological advancements. The current pandemic presents unique challenges and offers hope for significant breakthroughs in disease management and endemicity control.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Cholera is an ancient, mythologically significant disease with a history of seven recorded pandemics.
- Pandemic transmission patterns correlate with major technological revolutions.
- The ongoing seventh cholera pandemic is the longest and most widespread, posing new challenges.
Purpose:
- To review current epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and vaccinal data on cholera.
- To present the global cholera situation at the dawn of the third millennium.
- To highlight progress and potential breakthroughs in cholera management.
Summary:
- Cholera pandemics historically align with technological advancements.
- The seventh pandemic is exceptionally long and widespread, presenting novel challenges.
- Current data suggests significant progress in cholera's clinical and epidemiological understanding.
- Advancements in diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines offer hope for future control.
Impact:
- Provides an updated overview of cholera's global status.
- Highlights the potential for major breakthroughs in managing cholera and its endemicity.
- Informs strategies for controlling widespread and long-lasting infectious disease outbreaks.